Jennifer Vera, 16, left, and Abbie Camargo, 16, fight for the ball during soccer practice at the Ocala Rotary Sportsplex as the Ocala Lightning prepared for the Disney College Showcase.

Jacqui Janetzko/Star-Banner Correspondent

Despite being on the wrong side of some unlucky breaks, all was not lost at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee.

Lightning members garnered lots of attention from college coaches and scouts during the event as the team – ranked fourth in the state and 17th in the region – became the first team from Ocala to crack the Top 100 in national rankings at No. 98.

Youth announcements

BASEBALL ACADEMY: The U.S. Baseball Academy will host a six-week camp Sundays Jan. 20 through Feb. 24 at Rotary Sportsplex. The camp is open to youth, grades 1-12, and will focus on hitting, fielding, pitching and catcher skills. Packages start at $99. Space is limited. Go to www.USBaseballAcademy.com. Call 866-622-4487.

HEAT TRYOUTS: Ocala Heat Baseball Academy will hold tryouts from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday for its new 11u travel team. Potential players must be born between May 1, 2001 and April 30, 2002. Email gangler1@cox.net.

HIGHLANDS REGISTRATION: Open registration for all three levels of baseball — rookies (up to 8), minors (9-10) and majors (11-12) — begins this Saturday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the park. Registration will continue the same times on Jan. 19 and 26.

Skills assessments begin on Jan 28 and practices start Feb. 4. Opening day ceremonies will be held March 2. Cost is $100 for the season.

WRIGLEY REGISTRATION: Open registration for youth, ages 4 and up, interested in playing T-ball, baseball or softball is available online at wrigleybaseball.com and wrigleysoftball.com. Player evaluations will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Wrigley Fields in Citra. Call 427-3279.

Submit youth items to Jamie Voisine at osbyouth@gmail.com. Items need to be e-mailed by 3 p.m. on Tuesdays to appear in that week's column. The Star-Banner relies entirely on coaches to provide information used for this column.

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